The former St Kilda and North Melbourne star has agreed to play for the Burras in their round eight Central Highlands Football League clash against Beaufort on Saturday, June 3. He will join cousin and new Hepburn recruit Luke Stanton in the side.

Dal Santo explained that while the AFL lifestyle was great, you can sometimes miss the authenticity of the game.

“One thing you do see in country football is these players, people, support staff and people just donating their time pretty much just love the club and love the community that it brings and that’s what I’m really looking forward to as well,” Dal Santo said.

“As much I want to play a game, and it’s great that I can play with my cousin, but I’m also looking forward to – win, lose or draw – after the game, just sitting around and having a beer.”

Dal Santo said he was unsure whether he would be able to play more than one game for the Burras in 2017. “I’m open to the idea, but I haven’t confirmed anything yet.

“I’m doing a bit of media with AFL at the moment in Melbourne and most of those days are Saturdays and Sundays, which obviously makes it really difficult anything else outside that.”

Dal Santo said he was expecting to attend at least one Hepburn training session before the round eight match.

“I would have loved to go up there a little bit more leading into this game, but I’ll definitely be there for some training, just to meet the boys, get a little bit of an introduction out of the way, learn about how they want to play the game, learn about their tactics and the opposition leading into that game.”

Despite Stanton being unavailable for the Burras’ season opener, the team beat Newlyn.